Voice of America, 98-04-13

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From: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY / KURDS (L ONLY-CQ) BY TOM KANKONNEN (ISTANBUL)

[02] THE IRISH PEACE SETTLEMENT BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[03] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

[04] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[05] CZECH / NATO (L ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[06] CLINTON/MITCHELL/IRELAND (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[07] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: ROLE OF MEDIATION IN KOSOVO BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

[01] TURKEY / KURDS (L ONLY-CQ) BY TOM KANKONNEN (ISTANBUL)

INTRO: TURKISH SPECIAL FORCES HAVE SEIZED A TURKISH KURD SEPARATIST LEADER FROM NORTHERN IRAQ. TOM KANKONNEN IN ISTANBUL REPORTS THE TURKISH GENERAL STAFF SAYS TROOPS TOOK THE KURD LEADER BACK TO TURKEY EARLY TODAY (MONDAY).

TEXT: TURKISH COMMANDOS FLEW BY HELICOPTER INTO THE NORTHERN IRAQI CITY OF DOHUK, WHERE THEY CAPTURED SEMDIN SAKIK. HE IS A FORMER LEADING MEMBER OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, P-K-K, WHO FLED TO NORTHERN IRAQ LAST MONTH.

TURKEY FIRST TRIED TO GET AN IRAQI KURDISH GROUP WHICH CONTROLS THE AREA TO HAND HIM OVER. BUT THE GROUP REFUSED.

MR. SAKIK LEFT THE P-K-K AFTER A DISPUTE WITH THE GROUP'S LEADER, ABDULLAH OCALAN.

TURKISH AUTHORITIES SUSPECT MR. SAKIK OF INVOLVEMENT IN SEVERAL GUERILLA OPERATIONS, INCLUDING THE KILLING OF 33 UNARMED SOLDIERS IN 1993 -- AN INCIDENT THAT EFFECTIVELY ENDED A CEASEFIRE CALLED BY THE P-K-K.

THE P-K-K IS FIGHTING FOR KURDISH SELF-RULE AND HAS CONDUCTED A GUERILLA WAR AGAINST TURKEY SINCE 1984. ABOUT 30-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE CONFLICT BETWEEN SEPARATIST GUERILLAS AND TURKISH SECURITY FORCES.

THE GUERILLAS HAVE SUFFERED SEVERE LOSSES LATELY, AND TURKEY SAYS THE P-K-K IS ABOUT TO COLLAPSE.

THE GROUP'S LEADER RECENTLY PROPOSED A CEASEFIRE, BUT THREATENED TO STEP UP THE FIGHT IF TURKEY'S GOVERNMENT DOES NOT AGREE TO A DIALOGUE. TURKEY REFUSES TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE P-K-K, WHICH IT DESCRIBES AS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION.

CLASHES BETWEEN SECURITY FORCES AND P-K-K GUERILLAS HAVE RECENTLY BROKEN OUT NEAR THE MEDITERRANEAN TOURIST CITY OF ANTALYA.

THERE ARE ABOUT 12-MILLION KURDS IN TURKEY. HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS HAVE FREQUENTLY CRITICIZED TURKEY FOR NOT GIVING THE KURDS MORE RIGHTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/TK/JWH
13-Apr-98 11:37 AM EDT (1537 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] THE IRISH PEACE SETTLEMENT BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

(UNEDITED)

INTRO: THE AGREEMENT REACHED ON GOOD FRIDAY [4/10] BETWEEN MOST OF THE PARTIES IN THE NORTHERN IRELAND CONFLICT HAS CAUSED A FLOOD OF EDITORIALS IN THE UNITED STATES. ALL OF THEM ARE CELEBRATING THE DOCUMENT WHICH IS SEEN AS A GOOD COMPROMISE BETWEEN THE WARRING FACTIONS WHICH MAY, IF THE IRISH PEOPLE AGREE, BRING A MEASURE OF PEACE TO THAT WAR-TORN LITTLE ISLAND.

JOINING US NOW IS _____________________WITH A SAMPLING OF COMMENTS IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: THE AGREEMENT WHICH WAS HAMMERED OUT BETWEEN THE VARIOUS POLITICAL PARTIES OF NORTHERN IRELAND, REPRESENTING MAINLY ROMAN CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT CONSTITUENCIES, AND THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS, IS SEEN IN THIS COUNTRY AS A "CLASSIC COMPROMISE" IN THE WORDS OF "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR."

AT LEAST ONE EXTREMELY RADICAL PROTESTANT GROUP, LED BY THE REVEREND IAN PAISLEY, WALKED OUT OF THE TALKS AND REFUSED TO SIGN THE ACCORD. IT ESTABLISHES AN ELECTED ASSEMBLY OF NORTHERN IRELAND TO ADMINISTER MOST OF THE PROVINCE'S AFFAIRS, WITH BOTH CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT LEGISLATORS. IT ALSO ESTABLISHES A MINISTERIAL COUNCIL THAT WILL ENGAGE IN CROSS-BORDER COOPERATIVE TALKS BETWEEN NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC.

THERE WILL BE THREE REFERENDUMS ON MAY 22ND IN WHICH IRISH CITIZENS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER WILL BE ASKED TO APPROVE THE AGREEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY, AND IN ANOTHER VOTE, CITIZENS IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND WILL VOTE TO AMEND THEIR CONSTITUTION, TAKING OUT THE PROVISION THAT CLAIMS THE TERRITORY OF NORTHERN IRELAND.

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT HAS TO PASS LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF POWERS TO THE NEW BELFAST ASSEMBLY, AND THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND GET TO VOTE FOR MEMBERS OF THE NEW ASSEMBLY IN JUNE. IF THEY TEND TO CHOSE HARD LINERS OVER MODERATES, THE WHOLE PROCESS COULD BE IN JEOPARDY.

THE PACT WAS SEEN AS A TRIUMPH BOTH FOR FORMER U-S SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL OF MAINE, WHO CHAIRED THE TUMULTUOUS TALKS FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS, AND FOR PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON WHO WORKED BOTH BEHIND THE SCENES, AND PUBLICLY TO BRING ABOUT THE ACCORD. WITH THAT AS BACKGROUND, HERE IS WHAT THE U-S PAPERS FEEL ABOUT IT ALL, BEGINNING IN THE MIDWEST, WHERE "THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE," SAYS:

VOICE: PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND. THIS EASTER WEEKEND, THAT IS THE PRAYER, THAT IS THE PROMISE, OF THE MOMENTOUS AGREEMENT REACHED IN BELFAST. PEACE IN A LAND WHERE MORE THAN 3-THOUSAND LIVES HAVE BEEN LOST TO SECTARIAN WAR, WHERE 30-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE CARRIED THE SCARS INFLICTED BY BLAST AND BULLET. OVER TIME, IT IS HOPED, THE UBIQUITOUS MORALS OF WAR THAT BLEMISH THE BEAUTIFUL LAND OF ULSTER WILL BE WASHED CLEAN, THE HIGH WALLS AND BARBED WIRE THAT SEPARATE CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT WILL BE REMOVED. THE VISIBLE SIGNS, THEY MIGHT BE THE SIMPLE WORK. IT WILL BE FAR MORE DIFFICULT TO WASH CLEAN THE MEMORIES OF THOSE WHO REMAIN EMBITTERED AND DIVIDED AND UNPREPARED TO FORGIVE.

TEXT: "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" IS ESPECIALLY HOPEFUL, SUGGESTING THAT UNLIKE EARLIER PEACE EFFORTS IN THE NORTH, THIS AGREEMENT MAY HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF SUCCESS BECAUSE ALL SIDES OF TIRED OF THE VIOLENCE.

VOICE: ..... THIS DOCUMENT MAY SUCCEED WHERE OTHERS HAVE FAILED. THERE IS A POPULAR AND POLITICAL MOMENTUM BEHIND IT THAT HAS BEEN LACKING IN THE PAST. THE DOCUMENT IS THE PRODUCT OF TALKS THAT FORMER U-S SENATE MAJORITY LEADER GEORGE MITCHELL HAS BROKERED SINCE JUNE 1996, WITHOUT SALARY, REFUSING TO GIVE UP WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES SEEMED HOPELESS. .... THE WHOLE FORMULA WILL BE SUBJECTED TO A REFERENDUM IN THE TWO COUNTRIES IN LATE MAY. THE HOPE IS THAT THE PUBLIC WILL APPROVE IT OVERWHELMINGLY. THE FEAR IS THAT SOME OF THE 'HARD MEN' WHO HAVE GROWN USED TO WAGING SECTARIAN WAR WITH BOMBS AND MACHINE GUNS WILL TRY TO DESTROY THE AGREEMENT. BUT THE COMMITMENT OF THE POLITICAL LEADERS WHO MADE THIS AGREEMENT HAPPEN IS SO POWERFUL THAT IT MAY BUILD SUFFICIENT PUBLIC SUPPORT TO GIVE EVEN HARD MEN PAUSE.

TEXT: HERE IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL, "THE WASHINGTON POST" SAYS OF THE PACT:

VOICE: THE AGREEMENT ANNOUNCED FRIDAY RICHLY MERITS ITS DESIGNATION AS HISTORIC. IT GIVES ITS SIGNERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING TOGETHER, IN BRITISH-RULED NORTHERN IRELAND, RIVAL PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE DISTRUSTED EACH OTHER, OFTEN TO MURDEROUS EFFECT, FOR NEARLY THREE DECADES.

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, "THE SUN" SUMMED UP ITS VIEW OF THE DOCUMENT THIS WAY.

VOICE: SINCE 1969, IRELAND HAS CHANGED FUNDAMENTALLY. THE GAP BETWEEN PROTESTANT MAJORITY AND CATHOLIC MINORITY IN THE NORTH HAS NARROWED. THE TEACHING OF HISTORY HAS BEEN HARMONIZED IN CATHOLIC AND STATE SCHOOLS, CREATING A MORE COMMON UNDERSTANDING OF HERITAGE. BRITAIN AND IRELAND JOINTLY ENTERED THE EUROPEAN UNION. THE IRISH REPUBLIC HAS BECOME MORE CONFIDENT, WORLDLY AND INCLUSIVE. THESE CHANGES MADE THE STORMONT AGREEMENT POSSIBLE. IT IS UP TO POLITICIANS TO MAKE IT WORK.

TEXT: ON LONG ISLAND, "NEWSDAY'S" SATURDAY EDITIONS, HAILED THE ACCORD AND THE TIMING OF ITS SIGNING.

VOICE: YESTERDAY [4/10] WAS GOOD FRIDAY FOR CHRISTIANS EVERYWHERE, BUT IT WAS BEST FOR THE PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLICS OF NORTHERN IRELAND. AFTER 26 YEARS OF DIRECT RULE FROM LONDON, THEIR POLITICAL LEADERS FINALLY AGREED ON A DETAILED PLAN TO RESTORE SELF-GOVERNMENT IN BELFAST, LEAVING THEM STILL UNDER BRITISH SOVEREIGNTY BUT FORGING NEW LINKS WITH THE IRISH REPUBLIC. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON THIS REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT SHOULD BE UNTHINKABLE.

TEXT: "USA TODAY" TITLES ITS EDITORIAL THE "IRISH JOURNEY'S FIRST STEP."

VOICE: AFTER ALMOST ONE-THOUSAND YEARS OF STRIFE, AFTER 30 YEARS OF SAVAGERY, AFTER MORE THAN 32-HUNDRED DEAD, THE AGREEMENT SIGNED AT BELFAST'S STORMONT CASTLE ON GOOD FRIDAY MAY INDEED REPRESENT A TRUE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND. BUT AFTER A WEEKEND OF WELL-EARNED PRAISE, A NEW ROUND OF VIOLENCE IS BOUND TO TEST THE PUBLIC'S WILL BETWEEN NOW AND TWO REFERENDUMS MAY 22ND. THOSE BALLOTS ARE KEY IN SEVERAL WAYS. THE AGREEMENT .... ASKS PROTESTANTS TO GIVE UP MANY OF THEIR TIES TO LONDON AND AGREE TO SHARE POWER WITH THE CATHOLIC MINORITY IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND, LESS SO, WITH THE IRISH GOVERNMENT IN DUBLIN. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF POLICE AND THE COURTS - - ADMITTEDLY A HUGE ISSUE, TO BE RESOLVED LATER - - LONDON IS LARGELY OUT OF THE BUSINESS OF RUNNING THE SIX NORTHERN COUNTRIES. ..... THE POLITICS OF VIOLENCE WORKS ONLY WHILE THE ATROCITIES MAKE PEOPLE ANGRY. WHEN THEY LEAVE PEOPLE HEARTSICK, PEACE HAS A GENUINE CHANCE. IS IRELAND ALL OUT OF RAGE? AT THE END OF A HOLY WEEKEND, IN THE FACE OF UNHOLY PROSPECTS, THAT SURELY MUST BE THE PRAYER.

TEXT: THAT ENDS THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT ON THE ACCORD REACHED, CONCERNING NORTHERN IRELAND, AT THE END OF LAST WEEK.
NEB/ANG/PLM
13-Apr-98 1:54 PM EDT (1754 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE MIXED TODAY (MONDAY) AND TWO HUGE BANK MERGERS WERE ANNOUNCED. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT NINE THOUSAND 12, UP 17 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11 HUNDRED NINE, DOWN ONE POINT.

ANALYSTS SAY TRADERS WERE SOMEWHAT CAUTIOUS AFTER THE STRONG RALLY AT THE END OF LAST WEEK. THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE WAS DOWN FOR MOST OF THE DAY BUT TURNED POSITIVE IN THE LAST HOUR OF TRADING.

TWO HUGE BANK MERGERS WERE ANNOUNCED. BANKAMERICA AND NATIONSBANK WILL COMBINE TO CREATE THE LARGEST BANKING COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES. AND FIRST CHICAGO WILL MERGE WITH BANK ONE. THE NEWS COMES EXACTLY ONE WEEK AFTER CITICORP, THE NATION'S SECOND-LARGEST BANK, ANNOUNCED IT WILL MERGE WITH THE TRAVELERS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY.

BANKING INDUSTRY ANALYST TOM THEURKAUF (KEEFE BRUYETTE AND WOODS) BELIEVES BANKING IN THE UNITED STATES WILL BECOME A TWO TIER BUSINESS.

I THINK THERE WILL BE FIVE OR SIX ENORMOUS COMPANIES STRETCHING FROM THE EAST TO THE WEST COASTS WITH HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ASSETS. BUT I ALSO BELIEVE WE WILL HAVE SEVERAL HUNDRED, IF NOT MORE, TRUE COMMUNITY BANKS.

THE LATEST BANK MERGERS ARE BEING GREETED WITH CAUTION BY CONSUMER GROUPS THAT FEAR REDUCED COMPETITION COULD MEAN HIGHER COSTS FOR BANK CUSTOMERS. THE BANKS ARGUE THAT THE SAVINGS ACHIEVED THROUGH CONSOLIDATION WILL KEEP COSTS DOWN.

SEVERAL COMPANIES REPORTED BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED QUARTERLY PROFITS. THE MERRILL LYNCH INVESTMENT FIRM SAYS ITS PROFITS JUMPED BY 11 PERCENT. THE DONALDSON LUFKIN AND JENRETTE SECURITIES COMPANY SAYS ITS PROFITS SOARED BY 55 PERCENT, LARGELY BECAUSE OF A STRONG PERFORMANCE BY ITS INVESTMENT BANKING DIVISION. AND GANNETT, THE NEWSPAPER AND BROADCASTING FIRM, REPORTED A 17 PERCENT EARNINGS INCREASE.

THE OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY SAYS IT WILL ELIMINATE 11 HUNDRED JOBS, OR ABOUT TWO PERCENT OF ITS WORLDWIDE WORK FORCE. THE COMPANY SAYS ITS ORDERS HAVE FALLEN BE?CAUSE OF THE FINANCIAL CRISIS IN PARTS OF ASIA.

THE COMPAQ COMPUTER COMPANY IS CUTTING PRICES BY AS MUCH AS 25 PERCENT ON VARIOUS MODELS OF ITS DESKPRO LINE. ALTHOUGH COMPUTER SALES ARE STRONG, ANALYSTS SAY FIERCE PRICE COMPETITION IS CUTTING INTO PROFITS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PLM
13-Apr-98 4:51 PM EDT (2051 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE IRISH PEACE ACCORD SIGNED FRIDAY CONTINUES TO BE A MAJOR ITEM IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF U-S PAPERS.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE GROWING TENSION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND LATVIA OVER THE TREATMENT OF ETHNIC RUSSIANS LIVING IN THAT FORMER-SOVIET-CONTROLLED STATE; TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION TO AFGHANISTAN'S CONTINUING STRIFE; AMERICANS FACE THE INCOME TAX DEADLINE; HELPING WITH CARIBBEAN TRADE; AND, STILL WITH TRADE, THE AFTERMATH OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S TRIP TO AFRICA. NOW, HERE IS _______________WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR SAYS OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND ACCORD SIGNED BY MOST OF THE MAJOR PARTIES IN THE PROVINCE:

VOICE: FEW CONFLICTS HAVE SEEMED AS INTRACTABLE AS THAT DIVIDING ULSTER'S PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLICS. BUT THROUGH PATIENCE, AND A REFUSAL TO ACCEPT CONFLICT AS THE ULTIMATE REALITY, A BRIDGE HAS BEEN BUILT. WHAT THE NEGOTIATORS CAME UP WITH IS A CLASSIC COMPROMISE, WITH ELEMENTS FOR BOTH SIDES.

TEXT: "USA TODAY" TITLES ITS EDITORIAL THE "IRISH JOURNEY'S FIRST STEP."

VOICE: AFTER ALMOST ONE-THOUSAND YEARS OF STRIFE, AFTER 30 YEARS OF SAVAGERY, AFTER MORE THAN 32-HUNDRED DEAD, THE AGREEMENT SIGNED AT BELFAST'S STORMONT CASTLE ON GOOD FRIDAY MAY INDEED REPRESENT A TRUE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND. BUT AFTER A WEEKEND OF WELL-EARNED PRAISE, A NEW ROUND OF VIOLENCE IS BOUND TO TEST THE PUBLIC'S WILL BETWEEN NOW AND TWO REFERENDUMS MAY 22ND.

TEXT: TURNING TO ANOTHER PROBLEM BETWEEN TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLES LIVING IN THE SAME COUNTRY - - THE TREATMENT OF ETHNIC RUSSIANS IN LATVIA - - "THE WASHINGTON POST" SAYS ITS TIME TO BEGIN WORRYING, NOW THAT RUSSIA HAS ANNOUNCED SANCTION-LIKE ECONOMIC MEASURES AGAINST ITS SMALL BALTIC NEIGHBOR.

VOICE: THE SOVIET UNION ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED LATVIA FOR 50 YEARS, DELIBERATELY ENCOURAGING RUSSIANS TO SETTLE THERE WHILE DEPORTING MANY LATVIANS TO SIBERIA. WHEN LATVIA RECOVERED ITS INDEPENDENCE IN 1991, IT RECOVERED A CHANGED STATE, ONLY 56 PERCENT LATVIAN AND IN DANGER, MANY FEARED, OF LOSING ITS ESSENTIAL CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC IDENTITY. NOT UNREASONABLE, THEN, TO DEMAND SOME LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AS A CONDITION OF CITIZENSHIP, LATVIAN OFFICIALS SAY. ..... MOST DISTURBING IN THIS CRISIS HAS BEEN THE BEHAVIOR OF FRENCH, GERMAN AND, MOST RECENTLY, ITALIAN OFFICIALS WHO HAVE ..... JOINED IN RUSSIA'S APPLICATION OF PRESSURE ON LATVIA. .... IN MOSCOW, THEY SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT THE RIGHT OF EVERY NATION, NO MATTER HOW SMALL, TO LIVE FREE OF BULLYING AND INTIMIDATION.

TEXT: THE U-S HAD DECIDED TO TRY AND BRING PEACE IN ANOTHER WORLD TROUBLE SPOT, AFGHANISTAN, WITH THE DISPATCHING OF U-N AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON, TO TRY AND END THAT NATION'S CIVIL WAR AND THE FUNDAMENTALIST REPRESSION BY THE TALEBAN FORCES. SAYS "THE NEW YORK TIMES":

VOICE: BOTH PROBLEMS FLOW INDIRECTLY FROM THE WAR WAGED THERE IN THE 1980'S BETWEEN SOVIET TROOPS AND AMERICAN-BACKED MUSLIM GUERRILLAS. THAT GIVES WASHINGTON SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO WORK FOR AN END TO THE FIGHTING AND GREATER RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF WOMEN VICTIMIZED BY ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALIST RULE. ..... THE PROBLEMS OF THIS MISGOVERNED COUNTRY WILL NOT BE RESOLVED QUICKLY. BUT MR. RICHARDSON'S TIMING IS PROPITIOUS. HE WILL ARRIVE THIS WEEK DURING A LULL IN FIGHTING BEFORE THE WINTER SNOWS MELT AND WILL CARRY A U-N PEACE INITIATIVE SUPPORTED BY ALL OF AFGHANISTAN'S NEIGHBORS, SEVERAL OF WHICH HAVE BEEN CHANNELING SUPPORT TO COMPETING .... FACTIONS.

TEXT: HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, THIS IS THE WEEK IN WHICH ALL FEDERAL INCOME TAXES MUST BE FILED, ELICITING THIS COMMENT FROM "THE WASHINGTON POST. "

VOICE: THIS IS TAX WEEK, AND THE WORST THING ABOUT IT MAY NOT BE THE TAXES THEMSELVES, BUT THE COMMISERATING RHETORIC OF THE POLITICIANS, WHO, HAVING CREATED THE PRESENT TAX SYSTEM, WILL SPEND THE NEXT DAYS DEPLORING IT AS IF IT WERE THE HANDIWORK OF STRANGERS. IT WILL NOT BE JUST THEMSELVES THEY WILL TRY TO LEAVE BLAMELESS, EITHER. THEY WILL SYMPATHIZE WITH THE PUBLIC FOR HAVING TO PAY THE COST OF SERVICES THAT, IF YOU BELIEVE THIS IS A REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, THE PUBLIC ITSELF DEMANDS. ... THE CURRENT TAX CODE IS ANYTHING BUT PERFECT. IT COULD INDEED USE SOME CAREFUL THOUGHT. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS THE WEEK OF THE YEAR THAT IT IS LEAST LIKELY TO GET IT.

TEXT: TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS SPEAKING UP FOR CARIBBEAN TRADE, SUGGESTING:

VOICE: WASHINGTON SHOULD HEED THE CALL OF CARIBBEAN ISLAND NATIONS FOR HELP IN GAINING A SMALL PLACE IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY. LAST WEEK, IN PORT OF SPAIN, THE CAPITAL OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT PROMISED CARIBBEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS THAT SHE WILL SEEK CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION TO REDUCE U-S TARIFFS ON THEIR TEXTILES AND OTHER GOODS TO LEVELS GRANTED ..... CANADA AND MEXICO UNDER THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT. ALL THESE ISLANDS HAVE TROUBLED ECONOMIES, AND THE UNITED STATES CANNOT SEAL ITSELF FROM THE PROBLEMS OF ITS POOR NEIGHBORS. /// OPT /// CONGRESS HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE AND COMPLETE THE ... CARIBBEAN BASIN INITIATIVE .... INITIATED IN 1982 AND TREAT THE CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES AS REAL PARTNERS IN TRADE. SURELY TWO-WAY OPPORTUNITIES CAN BE FOUND. CONGRESS SHOULD THINK IN TERMS OF VENTURING TO GAIN. /// END OPT

TEXT: COMMENTING ON PRESIDENT CLINTON'S RECENT TRIP TO AFRICA, "NEWSDAY" SAYS THE PRESIDENT SHOULD PUSH CONGRESS TO PASS THE AFRICA GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT.

VOICE: ... THE ACT ... WOULD EXPAND TRADE AND INVESTMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND AFRICA. EVER SINCE ADAM SMITH, THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF ECONOMISTS HAVE UNDERSTOOD THAT FREE TRADE AND THE FREE FLOW OF INVESTMENT WORK TO ENRICH BOTH PARTIES IN A TRANSACTION. THAT'S WHY [MR.] CLINTON WAS RIGHT TO PUSH SO HARD FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT FIVE YEARS AGO. AS ONE OFFICIAL PUT IT, AFRICAN COUNTRIES SHOULD BE SEEN AS PARTNERS IN TRADE, NOT SIMPLY RECIPIENTS OF AID. ..... SO WHAT'S NEEDED NOW IS PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP TO SECURE PASSAGE OF A BILL THAT WOULD IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING OF AMERICANS AS WELL AS AFRICANS.

TEXT: LASTLY, THERE IS THE ACCUSATION FROM THE "NEW YORK POST" THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON AND THE DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO POLITICIZE THE UPCOMING U-S CENSUS, BEYOND WHAT THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION HAD IN MIND.

VOICE: PRESIDENT CLINTON AND THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN BLISSFULLY REASSURING FOR MONTHS ABOUT THEIR PLANS TO INSTITUTE STATISTICAL SAMPLING IN THE UPCOMING 2-THOUSAND CENSUS INSTEAD OF THE ACTUAL HEAD COUNT THAT THE CONSTITUTION HAS MANDATED SINCE THE FIRST CENSUS IN 1790. ..... THIS IS MORE THAN A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION: IT IS A MATTER OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE. THE PURPOSE OF THE CENSUS IS TO DETERMINE CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION, AND SO AN HONEST AND COMPLETE COUNT .... GOES TO THE HEART OF THE AMERICAN DEMOCRATIC EXPERIMENT. IT'S VITAL THAT IT NOT BE POLITICIZED. .... SAMPLING IS THE DEMOCRATIC STRATEGY FOR INCREASING THE PROPORTION OF HOUSE SEATS CONCENTRATED IN CORE URBAN AREAS AT THE EXPENSE OF MORE REPUBLICAN SUBURBAN AND RURAL RESIDENTS.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF U-S NEWSPAPERS.
NEB/ANG/KL
13-Apr-98 10:55 AM EDT (1455 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] CZECH / NATO (L ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: THE CZECH REPUBLIC'S PARLIAMENT IS TO MEET TUESDAY TO VOTE ON THE COUNTRY'S PROPOSED MEMBERSHIP IN NATO. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IN PRAGUE REPORTS THE OUTCOME IS NOT MUCH IN DOUBT.

TEXT: MOST CZECH POLITICAL PARTIES SUPPORT NATO MEMBERSHIP, SO PARLIAMENT WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY ENDORSE THE TREATY.

ONLY THE COMMUNISTS AND THE RIGHT-WING REPUBLICAN PARTY OPPOSE NATO MEMBERSHIP. THE LEFTIST SOCIAL DEMOCRATS HAD BEEN CALLING FOR A PUBLIC REFERENDUM, BUT THEY HAVE SINCE CHANGED THEIR MIND.

ACCORDING TO THE LATEST POLLS, CZECH CITIZENS ALSO SUPPORT NATO MEMBERSHIP, BUT NOT OVERWHELMINGLY. RECENT SURVEYS DIFFER, BUT SUGGEST SUPPORT IS AROUND 60 PERCENT.

IN THE TWO OTHER CANDIDATE COUNTRIES, POLAND AND HUNGARY, POPULAR SUPPORT IS HIGHER. IN ALL THREE THE REASONS FOR BACKING NATO MEMBERSHIP ARE SIMILAR -- SECURITY IN AN UNCERTAIN WORLD, AND THE INTANGIBLE APPEAL OF BEING PART OF A MAJOR WESTERN INSTITUTION AFTER THE TRAUMA OF WORLD WAR TWO FOLLOWED BY FOUR DECADES OF COMMUNIST RULE.

BUT NATO EXPANSION HAS ITS SHARE OF CRITICS, TOO . OPPONENTS CITE THE COST OF MEMBERSHIP -- INCLUDING THE SUBSTANTIAL UPGRADING OF MILITARY TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT -- AS ONE REASON NOT TO JOIN. ALSO, THEY SAY THAT WITH THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION, NATO IS A COLD WAR RELIC WHOSE ENLARGEMENT COULD BE A PROVOCATION.

NATO WAS CREATED IN 1949 AS A MUTUAL DEFENSE AGREEMENT AMONG DEMOCRACIES IN WESTERN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA. ITS 16 CURRENT MEMBERS -- AND ANY THAT JOIN IN THE FUTURE -- AGREE TO REGARD AN ATTACK ON ONE AS AN ATTACK ON ALL.

BECAUSE THE NATO ORGANIZATION IS BASED ON A TREATY, ALL CURRENT AS WELL AS PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS MUST RATIFY THE EXPANSION. SEVERAL HAVE ALREADY DONE SO. A VOTE IN THE U-S SENATE IS EXPECTED LATER THIS MONTH. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/JWH
13-Apr-98 6:04 AM EDT (1004 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] CLINTON/MITCHELL/IRELAND (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS BEEN BRIEFED ON THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE ACCORD BY FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER GEORGE MITCHELL, WHO MEDIATED THE HISTORIC DEAL AS A SPECIAL U-S ENVOY. MR. CLINTON MAY VISIT NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC NEXT MONTH. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON HAD MADE THE QUEST FOR PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND A MAJOR FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITY. AND WITH REPORTERS PRESENT AS THEY BEGAN THEIR MEETING HERE, SENATOR MITCHELL SAID HE DOES NOT THINK THE LANDMARK AGREEMENT CONCLUDED LAST FRIDAY WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE PRESIDENT'S ACTIVE ROLE-- WHICH BEGAN SOON AFTER HE TOOK OFFICE FIVE YEARS AGO:

WHAT HAPPENED WAS THE CULMINATION OF A LONG PROCESS OF INVOLVEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT. NO AMERICAN PRESIDENT HAS EVER BEFORE VISITED NORTHERN IRELAND WHILE IN OFFICE. NO AMERICAN PRESIDENT HAD EVER BEFORE PLACED THE PROBLEM OF NORTHERN IRELAND HIGH ON THE AMERICAN AGENDA AT A TIME WHEN IT SEEMED THERE WAS NO PROSPECT FOR SUCCESS. IT'S AN EASY THING TO GET INVOLVED IN AN ISSUE WHEN ITS ON THE DOWNHILL SIDE AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO SUCCESS. PRESIDENT CLINTON GOT INVOLVED IN NORTHERN IRELAND WHEN NO ONE GAVE IT ANY CHANCE OF SUCCESS.

PRESIDENT CLINTON VISITED NORTHERN IRELAND IN 1995 AND SENATOR MITCHELL HAS SAID HE THINKS IT WOULD BE HELFUL IF MR. CLINTON PAID A RETURN VISIT IN ADVANCE OF THE TWIN REFERENDUMS ON THE AGREEMENT IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC MAY 22ND. MR. CLINTON TOLD REPORTERS HE IS OPEN TO THE IDEA BUT HAS MADE NO DECISION AND WANTS TO SPEAK FIRST TO THE PARTIES THEMSELVES:

I'M ALWAYS WILLING TO DO WHATEVER I CAN TO HELP. BUT THE ROLE OF THE UNITED STATES HERE IS A SUPPORTING ROLE AND TO TRY TO HELP. AS I SAID WE SHOULD ALWAYS TRY TO HELP CREATE AND PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH PEACE CAN OCCUR AND PROGRESS. AND THEN ENCOURAGE THE PARTIES WHO HAVE TO MAKE THE DECISIONS, INCLUDING THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

A CLINTON VISIT, IF IT COMES, WOULD BE IN CONNECTION WITH HIS PLANNED TRIP NEXT MONTH TO GERMANY AND TO BRITAIN FOR THE G-8 SUMMIT OF THE MAJOR POWERS. OFFICIALS HERE SAY THAT WHILE FAVORABLY INCLINED TO ADDING STOPS IN BELFAST AND DUBLIN, MR. CLINTON DOES NOT WANT TO APPEAR TO BE MEDDLING IN IRISH POLITICS IN THE RUN-UP TO THE VOTING.

ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE HOPING FOR OVERHWLEMING APPROVAL OF THE POWER-SHARING DEAL IN BOTH PLACES AS A SHOW OF FORCE AGAINST ROMAN CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT EXTREMISTS WHO MAY STILL HARBOR HOPE OF DE-RAILING THE APRIL 10TH AGREEMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/WDC/PLM
13-Apr-98 4:36 PM EDT (2036 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: ROLE OF MEDIATION IN KOSOVO BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE SERBIANS AND KOSOVAR ALBANIANS APPEAR TO BE AT A STALEMATE. THE LEADERS OF THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS INSIST THAT THIRD-PARTY MEDIATION IS NECESSARY FOR ANY RESOLUTION TO THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO. SERBIA INSISTS THAT THE STATUS OF KOSOVO IS AN INTERNAL MATTER AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD KEEP OUT. SERBIAN LEADERS HAVE SCHEDULED A REFERENDUM ON APRIL 23 TO DETERMINE WHETHER TO ACCEPT FOREIGN MEDIATION IN

TEXT: DAVID PHILLIPS OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY JUST RETURNED FROM KOSOVO WHERE HE WENT TO EVALUATE THE CURRENT POLITICAL SITUATION AND, HE SAYS, TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO DETER AN ESCALATION OF VIOLENCE THERE. LAST MONTH MORE THAN 80 PEOPLE DIED IN THE CRACKDOWN BY SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES IN KOSOVO. MR. PHILLIPS SAYS THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS ARE SUFFERING FROM WHAT HE DESCRIBES AS "A HIGH LEVEL OF FRUSTRATION."

TAPE: CUT ONE -- PHILLIPS (0:43) "THEY ARE EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THEY TERM 'ATROCITIES.' THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT THE GROWING MILITANCY OF CERTAIN ELEMENTS IN THE ALBANIAN COMMUNITY AND REALIZE THAT A PROACTIVE INTERVENTION BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS NECESSARY, IF CONDITIONS IN KOSOVO ARE NOT TO WORSEN. FOR NEGOTIATIONS TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR MIND, THEY BELIEVE THERE IS A NEED FOR A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD. THEY DON'T HAVE ANY LEGAL STATUS AS RECOGNIZED BY THE BELGRADE AUTHORITIES OR, FOR THAT MATTER, BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. SO, IN ORDER TO SIT AT THE TABLE AS AN EQUAL PARTNER IN A NEGOTIATION, THEY FEEL THEY NEED A THIRD PARTY THERE TO ASSIST IN AN OBJECTIVE, IMPARTIAL, AND CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE."

TEXT: DAVID PHILLIPS SAYS MEDIATION BETWEEN SERBIANS AND KOSOVAR ALBANIANS IN THE PAST HAS GENERALLY BEEN LIMITED TO WHAT DIPLOMATS CALL "TRACK TWO" DIPLOMACY. THAT MEANS DIPLOMACY AT THE UNOFFICIAL, NON-GOVERNMENTAL LEVEL. FOR EXAMPLE, THE ITALIAN RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY OF ST. EGIDIO [SANT AY-GEE-DEE-OH] HELPED BROKER AN EDUCATION AGREEMENT TO REOPEN STATE SCHOOLS TO ALBANIAN STUDENTS WANTING TO STUDY IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE. MR. PHILLIPS SAYS THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT CLOSED THESE SCHOOLS IN 1990, AND SINCE THEN ALBANIAN STUDENTS HAVE BEEN ATTENDING CLASSES IN PRIVATE HOMES.

TAPE: CUT TWO -- PHILLIPS (0:43) "I'VE HAD EXTENSIVE CONTACTS WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMUNITY OF ST. EGIDIO SINCE THE SPRING OF 1996 WHEN THEY INITIATED THEIR DISCRETE DIPLOMACY INITIATIVES ON THE EDUCATIONAL ACCORDS. THE COMMUNITY OF ST. EGIDIO IS A LAY COMMUNITY OF CITIZENS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN VARIOUS HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES. THEIR CLERICAL LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN PEACE-MAKING INITITIATIVES IN MOZAMBIQUE, GUATAMALA, KOSOVO, AND ELSEWHERE. SO, THEY DO HAVE AN IMPORTANT TRACK RECORD OF BRINGING DISPUTANTS TOGETHER TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS. THEIR INITIATIVE WHICH LED TO THE SIGNING OF THE EDUCATIONAL ACCORD ON SEPTEMBER 3, 1996, WAS SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE OF THEIR MORAL AUTHORITY."

TEXT: WHATEVER ITS INITIAL SUCCESS IN BRINGING THE SERBIAN AND KOSOVAR ALBANIAN FACTIONS TOGETHER, DAVID PHILLIPS SAYS, THE COMMUNITY OF ST. EGIDIO HAS BEEN UNABLE TO IMPLEMENT A POLITICAL ACCORD USING UNOFFICIAL CHANNELS.

TAPE: CUT THREE -- PHILLIPS (0:55) "FIRST WAS THAT ST. EGIDIO DIDN'T HAVE ANY POLITICAL AUTHORITY TO FORCE THE PARTIES TO COME TOGETHER AND WORK OUT THE OUTSTANDING DETAILS CONCERNING ADMINISTRATION AND CURRICULUM AND FINANCE. THE SECOND PART OF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE MATTER OF TACTICS. IT WAS A PREMATURE ANNOUNCEMENT. THERE WAS NO DESIGNATION OF WHO THE THREE [SERBIAN] PLUS THREE [ALBANIAN] COMMISSIONERS WOULD BE, THERE WAS NO TIME-TABLE FOR THEIR MEETING, THERE WAS NO AGENDA, AND THERE WAS NO PRESSURE APPLIED, IN ORDER TO REQUIRE THEM TO SIT DOWN AND WORK OUT THE DETAILS. SO, IN MANY WAYS THE COMMUNITY OF ST. EGIDIO REPRESENTS BOTH A CASE STUDY IN SUCCESS IN HAVING REACHED THE AGREEMENT, BUT ALSO A CASE STUDY IN FAILURE, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT EFFECTIVELY THINK THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION. NOW THAT IT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED [3/24/98], THE NEED FOR IT HAS ALL BUT PASSED. IN A CRISIS ENVIRONMENT, NORMALIZING A SCHOOL SYSTEM IS JUST A VERY SMALL ELEMENT OF A PACKAGE OF NORMALIZATION MEASURES THAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE."

TEXT: THE OTHER PROBLEM, MR. PHILLIPS SAYS, IS THAT A DECISION TO IMPLEMENT THE EDUCATIONAL AGREEMENT WAS DELAYED UNTIL JUST TWO DAYS BEFORE THE "CONTACT GROUP" OF FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY, AND RUSSIA MET IN BONN ON MARCH 25. ACCORDING TO DAVID PHILLIPS, THE EDUCATION AGREEMENT "CHANGED THE ATMOSPHERICS" OF THE BONN MEETING, WITH SOME COUNTRIES USING IT TO BLOCK SANCTIONS AGAINST SERBIA. AND, IT'S FOR THIS REASON, HE SAYS, THAT THE KOSOVAR ALBANIAN LEADERSHIP IS SO INSISTENT ON INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION.

TAPE: CUT FOUR -- PHILLIPS (0:36) "THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT OFFICIAL MEDIATION BY A THIRD PARTY WITH LEGAL STATUS. THEY'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT ACADEMICS OR PRIESTS OR N-G-O'S [NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIGATIONS] RUNNING AROUND FACILITATING DIALOGUE. I THINK THAT WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT IS A U.S. INVOLVEMENT. THEY KNOW THAT THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR OF INTEREST IN EUROPE ON THIS MATTER IS ESSENTIALLY TO DO NOTHING. I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THEM, BUT I THINK THAT, IF THEY WERE TO SUGGEST A MEDIATOR, THAT THEY WOULD RECOGNIZE FULLY THAT THE U.S. HAS THE MORAL, POLITICAL, AND MILITARY AUTHORITY TO PLAY THAT ROLE MOST EFFECTIVELY."

TEXT: EVEN IF THE APRIL 23 REFERENDUM SHOWS THAT THE MAJORITY POPULATION IN SERBIA OPPOSES INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION, DAVID PHILLIPS SAYS, THE UNITED STATES COULD STILL SEND AN ENVOY TO KOSOVO TO SERVE IN AN OFFICIAL CAPACITY.

TAPE: CUT FIVE -- PHILLIPS (0:21) "NOTHING PREVENTS THE UNITED STATES FROM DOING THAT BUT THE LACK OF WILL TO GET INVOLVED TO THAT EXTENT. I THINK THAT THE LEVEL OF U.S. INVOLVEMENT WILL BE DETERMINED BY EVENTS ON THE GROUND. AND, IF THERE'S A SPASM OF VIOLENCE, THEN THERE'S GOING TO NEED TO BE SOME KIND OF DIPLOMATIC RESPONSE. THE STATUS QUO THAT EXISTS RIGHT NOW IS AN EERIE CALM, AND IT'S MY BELIEF THAT IT WILL NOT STAND."

TEXT: DAVID PHILLIPS, DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROGRAM AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, SAYS HE BELIEVES THERE NEEDS TO BE A DIPLOMATIC INTERVENTION IN KOSOVO. OTHERWISE, HE SAYS, AN ESCALLATION OF VIOLENCE THERE IS LIKELY TO HAVE A DAMAGING IMPACT ON REGIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY.
13-Apr-98 9:00 AM EDT (1300 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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